Email theblondeprep@gmail.com with questions, comments, or concerns. Powered by Blogger.

Highlights of 2018


Happy New Year's Eve! Today I wanted to share a quick highlight reel of my year, month by month. This year was full of fun trips, spontaneous adventures, so many highs, and as always, a few lows. Overall it was a year full of the unexpected, with amazing memories along the way, and I can't wait to see what is in store for 2019. 

In January I visited my best friend in Chicago, attempted a pink theme on Instagram, got my hair highlighted for the first time, and kicked off my spring semester of my sophomore year of college. I shared my January favorites in this post.

2018 Reflection


Hi!! I hope you all had a lovely holiday and enjoyed this relaxing week between the craziness of Christmas and New Years. I unexpectedly took a few weeks off of blogging during finals and the holiday, but I’m excited to pop back on today and reflect on 2018. Tomorrow I’ll be back again with my highlights from the year!

Gift Guide: Under $50


With Christmas exactly one week away, there's still a little time left to shop for anyone last minute on your list! I put together a few fun things under $50 that would make for pretty presents but are easy to add to your shopping cart. A lot of the stores I've linked to offer fast or free shipping, so you don't have to worry about things not arriving in time.




My First Vlog


Helloooo everyone! I just wanted to pop on and say hi before I begin taking my finals. I have my first one tomorrow afternoon, another on Saturday, Monday, and Wednesday, and then in just under a week I'll be home and getting ready for my holiday party with my mom! I can't wait to be done studying, but I'm honestly going to miss this semester so much!

Holiday Party Outfit Guide


When it comes to holiday festivities, there really is nothing better than getting dressed up and decked out for a party! I love all things velvet, tartan, and fur, so I'm obsessed with holiday attire. I thought it would be fun to round up a few pieces that would be perfect for any event this holiday season.


Gift Guide: My Christmas List


Happy Monday! Now that it's December, I'm officially preparing for finals and starting to think about the holidays. My mom and I host a semi-annual cookie exchange party, and this year I'm so excited to have it again. It has to be my favorite holiday event ever, so I can't wait to send out invitations and start planning my outfit. Another holiday endeavor I'm working on, of course, is my Christmas list. Most years I come up with a small handful of things I've had my eyes on to ask for, and this year is pretty much the same. My mom purposely does not ask my brother or I what we want because she always has ideas and wants to surprise us instead, so my "list" is more for my dad, grandparents, and honestly, myself!



Thanksgiving in Boston Recap


Happy Thursday! It's hard to believe Thanksgiving was only a week ago. It somehow feels like it's been forever since I've had a break from school, but I know it's just because this time of the year gets so crazy with finals coming up. I mentioned my Thanksgiving a little bit, but I wanted to share a full recap of what my weekend looked like in Boston because it was so much fun.

What I Bought + My Favorite Things On Sale


Hellloooo and happy Cyber Monday! Since the sales are still going on, I thought it would be fun to share what I purchased from the sales already and which of my current favorite things are currently on sale.



The Best Sales This Weekend


Happy Saturday! I just made it home from Boston this morning and I'm feeling so thankful that I got to spend the last few days with my extended family. I hope all of you had a lovely Thanksgiving! Ours was cold, but lovely and definitely went by way too quickly. I was trying to stay off of my phone and social media and just enjoy my time with my family, so I didn't share much on here or Instagram. Today I wanted to pop on though and share some of the sales I'm taking advantage of that are still going on this weekend!

My Favorite Ways To Unwind


Thanksgiving break could not be coming at a more perfect time in the semester. After the stress of midterms and just grinding along the last few weeks at school, I am so excited to head out of town for a few days and take some time to relax! Today I wanted to share a few of my favorite ways to unwind at school so when we get back to classes next week we can all have a little reminder to take time for ourselves even as finals approach. Hands down my favorite way to relax is to sink into my new Tempurpedic mattress. It's changed the game for me and has definitely made the amount of time I want to spend in my bed increase dramatically.

Gift Guide: Mom


I'm so excited to head home for Thanksgiving break today! My flight to Boston isn't until tomorrow afternoon, so it'll be nice to spend tonight and tomorrow with my mom before visiting my dad's side of the family. With Thanksgiving only two days away, I'm sure we are all anticipating the Black Friday sales that are coming up at the end of the week! One person I always like to shop for during Black Friday is my mom. I'm sure most of you feel the same way-- shopping for your mom is so hard. You want to get her something nice that she will love and use and maybe wouldn't get for herself. Black Friday is the perfect time to take advantage of sales and splurge a little on your mom! So, today I thought would be great timing to share some ideas and inspiration for what to gift your mom this season.



This Week's Top 10

image via

1. 3 New York Baristas Spill the Deets on Tips, Regulars and Oat Milk // I read this article on Man Repeller on Wednesday morning and could hardly wait to share it. I find baristas fascinating. Maybe it's a stereotype, but baristas always strike me as down to earth and genuine people, and I absolutely loved this article. Truly one of the best I've read in a while-- check it out!


3. The Everygirl editors shared their favorite items from Trader Joe's and not a single one coincides with my personal faves! IMO, next time you're in Trader Joe's, you cannot leave without the cruciferous crunch salad mix, white truffle potato chips, or butternut squash soup. What's your favorite TJ's item?! By far it's my favorite place to grocery shop and I'm always looking for inspiration (I've gotten so lazy and literally eat the same exact things everyday, haha).

Mid-Semester Recap



With the second wave of midterms finally behind me and Thanksgiving just next week, the end of this semester is creeping up so quickly! For the last couple of weeks I have been swamped with exams, papers, and projects in all five of my classes, so I thought it would be nice to do a little life recap now that all of that is behind me. I shared another small recap a few weeks ago, but I think this kind of post is so fun to look back on, so I'm just going to go ahead and do another ;)

Gift Guide: For the Girl Who Has Everything


It's gift guide season!!! I absolutely love getting into the holiday spirit (who doesn't?!) and I'm so excited to start listening to Christmas music and shopping for all of my friends and family after Thanksgiving next week. I got a little too excited to share gift guides, so I'm starting a little early, but I figured that's better than starting too late! My roommates and I all worked together to create this year's repertoire of gift guides (I love them and so grateful they were excited to help me!), so you can be assured that these gifts are all approved by multiple highly selective, particular, stylish girls ;)
 Up first, one of my favorites: the gift guide for the girl who has everything!


A Perfect Red Sweater



By now I feel like I've shared this sweater so much (here and here for example) that it's only appropriate to dedicate a post to it. These photos are probably my favorites I've taken this semester, so I couldn't go without sharing them! I also felt this outfit is a fitting Thanksgiving outfit idea, especially relevant given yesterday's post. I didn't used to like the color red at all, but since transferring to UW where the colors are red and white, I pick up pieces in red whenever I can, and this sweater is by far my favorite red-colored piece I own.




Thanksgiving Outfit Ideas




How is Thanksgiving next week?! I'm so excited to spend the holiday in Boston this year with my dad's side of the family. Although my brother is abroad and neither of my parents are coming along, I know I'll have such a fun weekend in New England with my aunts, grandma, and cousins. I can't wait!

October Favorites


I love Octobers. Fall is probably my favorite season, and I associate it most with October. It went by crazy fast this year between midterms and spontaneous trips home, but it was definitely a fun month while it lasted. Fall semesters are always a good time with game days each Saturday, and it's hard to believe we had our last one (besides Thanksgiving weekend, but most of us won't be here!) this past Saturday. Here's what I was loving in October:

This Week's Top 10


1. Happy Friday everyone!!! I hope you all had a fun Halloween week and are starting to get excited about the holidays too now that it's November! Speaking of holiday... the gift guides are going to start soon! Is there anything or anyone in particular you're shopping for?

2. What did you dress up as for Halloween? I shared a recap from the Halloween party I went to last weekend in a blog post here, and then I dressed up again as a tennis player on Tuesday night when we went out for Halloween at school.

3. Also on the blog this week I shared a ton of pieces I'm currently loving from ASOS.

ASOS Fall Sale Alert


ASOS is one of my favorite online retailers with good reason. Their selection of pieces spans across all styles at every price point, and whenever I need something really specific I can always find it on there! They're having a sale right now (15% off the entire site using code WOW15) that started yesterday, and because they carry so many different pieces and brands, it's the perfect time to make a purchase whether you're in the mood for a mid-fall wardrobe update or just in need of a stylish cute coat now that it's getting colder. Below are my top picks on ASOS right now:

Halloween Party Recap


This weekend, my roommates and I all decided to head home for a Halloween party in Milwaukee! It was a spontaneous trip, but a good excuse to dress up and do something seasonal. I went to Chicago last year for Halloween and had such a great weekend, so I was excited to go home this time and doing something different again. We all chose to dress up as goth and I love how our costumes turned out. We took the funniest pictures and went crazy with our makeup, so I had to share.

This Week's Top 10


1. Although it's officially the weekend, I haven't really solidified my plans! I'm thinking of going home because all three of my roommates are headed home and I don't want to be here alone (lol, typical), but I'm not sure yet. I know I definitely want to go to a pumpkin patch and a haunted house, and maybe drink apple cider along the way, so I should probably plan that out... how is it already the last weekend in October?!

2. I took off the first few weeks of this month from blogging but I'm excited that this week was a full one in terms of blog content! In case you missed it, here's what I shared:

3. I found the above photo on Pinterest and love the look of her red corduroys with a plaid blazer. Both similar options I linked are under $40!

Fall Finds Under $100



you can click directly on each product to shop!

When it comes to shopping for fall clothes, I have an uncontrollable habit consisting of finding cozy pieces, adding them to my cart, and inevitably spending far too much money on sweaters, boots, and jackets that I don't necessarily need (or at least, that's what my mom tells me!). Because fall shopping is so addicting, I rounded up some pieces on my current wishlist that are all under $100 so we can shop for fall together without breaking the bank!

Current Obsessions



Since being MIA recently, I have discovered a few new things that I love and need to share with all of you! This is a pretty random assortment, but just a handful of fall favorites that I currently can't get enough of!

Fun Jeans


On a typical day you'll find me in jeans and a simple sweater. Who doesn't love a good pair of jeans?! I originally bought this pair back in August, but it wasn't until I had my roommate Elizabeth cut the hems (and like six more inches) off of them about a month ago that I felt like I could really wear them out and about. The button fly is so cute and they're actually the most comfortable pair of jeans I own!


Life Update


Hi!!!!!! I am finally back after an unexpected break for a few weeks. This semester has been going by so quickly, I feel like I haven't really had a minute to just sit down and relax. Between midterms and three last-minute trips home in the last couple of weeks,  to say I've been busy would be an understatement! I wanted to share a little recap of what I've been up to and where I've been recently.

pictured above: wearing this red sweater that's a current favorite

This Week's Top 10


1. Happy Saturday! There's no game this weekend (this is a good thing-- I needed a break!), so I'm reporting live from my apartment with my morning coffee to deliver This Week's Top 10.. enjoy!


Shopbop Sale: What I Purchased + My Wishlist



you can click directly on each product to shop!

Okay, I know when Shopbop sales happen that so many bloggers are sharing wishlists, guides, and ideas of what to buy to the point of annoyance. I will be the first to admit that purchasing extremely expensive pieces just for 20% off (or 25% if you spend over $500) isn't something that is within my college budget. However, it really is the perfect time to make a purchase if there's something you've had your eye on-- scoring 20% off a pricier item makes a bigger impact than 20% off at a lower-end store, obviously! I actually did shop this sale this time around, and that's why I wanted to share a post supporting it. This is just a very honest sharing of what I bought and what I wish I could also purchase because I have been coveting some things for a while now, and the sale just happened to come at a perfect time for me. I also have a special itch to shop when the seasons change, and I know a lot of you probably do, too! That's my little disclaimer. Let's get onto the fun stuff!


My New Favorite Hair Styling Tool


When it comes to doing my hair lately, I've been trying to curl it more and straighten it less. With naturally curly hair, sometimes flat irons can be too harsh and make my hair look damaged and unnatural. However, since trying this Panasonic nanoe Flat Iron & styling iron, I can create a smooth, silky straight hair look that gives me the perfect balance of straightness for my curly hair!



A few game days ago, I decided to put my new Panasonic nanoe Flat Iron to the test and straighten my hair instead of curl it. Because it was such a humid day, I knew I wanted to put my hair back, but a straightened ponytail often looks better than a curly one because it gives it a silkier look and adds a bit of length. The slim ceramic plates allow you to easily smooth hair at the roots, but the rounded straightener head makes it easy to style waves and curls, too.



I'm seriously so happy with my new Panasonic nanoe Flat Iron! As I mentioned, it really doesn't "iron" my hair to the point of crispiness, and actually styles it well without burning it to a straightened crisp. This is due to the nanoe™ technology used in the flat iron that infuses moisture into hair to keep is smooth and shiny. Plus, the high-recovery heater and advanced smooth ceramic plates provide even heat distribution and maintain constant temperature so you can straighten your hair from roots to ends without having to go over it multiple times.



Another bonus about this straightener? It heats up in just 30 seconds and have five temperature units! This is perfect for someone like me who is always distracted while getting ready to go out, so I can turn on the straightener to high and quickly straighten my hair while getting ready with my friends. And, if I miss a piece, it's so quick to turn it back on and fix my hair before heading out the door! The result of even heat dispersion, even tension and the large plates keeps hair styled, smooth and vibrant all day long... even on a hot and humid game day!


For anyone else looking for a flat iron that gets the job done well without giving you that over-straightened look, I can't recommend this one enough!

xoxo

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Panasonic. The opinions and text are all mine.

Street Style Looks Reinvented For Class


When it comes to getting dressed for class, I've been trying to look a little more put together this year in my business classes. Last year, I wore leggings and a big sweater the majority of the time because I was attending big lectures where I didn't know anyone and didn't really feel the need to make a good impression. This year, however, I've been using my business classes as a good excuse to get into the habit of looking presentable. This has resulted in little changes from leggings to more stylish jeans and tops instead of sweatshirts. Recently, a lot of my style inspiration has come from Street Style looks from fashion weeks throughout the months, and I thought it would be fun to share a few of my favorites and how they can easily be tweaked to be more class appropriate!

Updated College Grocery List + What I Eat


I love sharing my meals, snacks, and other healthy ideas on my Instagram Stories, and I love that you, too, enjoy reading about my running updates and what I eat. I think it's so helpful as a college student to find inspiration from what others are doing so we can all stay healthy together and find creative meals that are simple and affordable for a college grocery budget. Both this year and last year I've lived in an apartment, which means I go to the grocery store 1-2 times a week and have to fend for myself when it comes to making meals and picking out my food. I've pretty much nailed it down to what I like to eat and what I can cook, so read on for a rundown of what my meals look like and how I plan for them!

Pop of Pink: FILA Disruptor 2


So... remember when I said I wanted to start wearing fun shoes a little out of my comfort zone? One pair I have been especially wanting to add to my collection for a while now is this pair by FILA. The FILA Disruptor 2's in pink are so much fun and the color makes them feel so "me." I love how they make even a simple outfit like this one look more fun and trendy just because of how unique they are!

This Week's Top 10


1. Happy Saturday! I'm still getting adjusted to being back at school, so my weeks have felt long and weekends have gone by far too quick with all of the game day celebrating. This week was especially exhausting because my allergies have been really bothering me and I've been pretty sick since getting to school-- hence why this is going up today instead of yesterday! I'm excited that tonight's game is both a night game and an away game so my roomies and I will be able to enjoy the Farmer's Market and relax before doing our usual game day festivities later.

2. On the blog this week I shared two fall related posts that I am really excited about! I want everything on my Fall Wishlist, and this healthy pumpkin pie smoothie recipe is going to be my go-to for the next couple of months.

3. Speaking of the Fall Wishlist: I pointed out that I've been wanting a pair of Dr. Marten's, and guess what?! This pair comes in patent leather, with a platform, and satin laces!!! It's like they were made for me.

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie Recipe for Fall


Hellloooo babes! So, after I complained about the heat in Madison in my Fall Wishlist post on Tuesday, my prayers were answered and yesterday was the perfect 60 degree fall day. In fact, it felt so much like fall that my inner basic white girl was craving all of the pumpkin spice ;) and I needed to act on it. I made a delicious pumpkin pie smoothie for dinner last night and it couldn't have hit the spot more! So easy, healthy, creamy, and full of fall flavors-- I was so excited when I did a little Instagram Story poll and you wanted me to share the recipe!